Phase II study of carboplatin and gemcitabine as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer: a report from the Central Japan Lung Study Group, CJLSG 0503 trial

Background

The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a carboplatin and gemcitabine combination regimen in the treatment of completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Patients with completely resected pathologically documented stage IB, II or IIIA NSCLC were treated with carboplatin and gemcitabine. Chemotherapy consisted of 4 cycles of carboplatin at an area under the curve of 5 (level 1) or 4 (level 2) on day 1 combined with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint of this study was the completion rate of 4 cycles.

Results

Twenty patients were treated, and the patient’s demographics were: median age 61 years (range 51–74), gender male (n = 13, 65%)/female (n = 7, 35%), stage IB (n = 8, 40%), IIA (n = 1, 5%), IIB (n = 6, 30%), IIIA (n = 5, 25%). Seventeen patients (85%, 95% confidence interval 64.0–94.8) received the planned 4 cycles of the chemotherapy regimen at level 1 every 3 weeks. Among the 3 patients who failed to complete 4 cycles, the reasons for stopping were refusal (n = 1), thrombocytopenia (n = 1) and rash (n = 1). The main adverse effects were hematological toxicity as well as grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (which occurred in 65% and 40% of the patients, respectively).

Conclusions

Adjuvant chemotherapy with a carboplatin and gemcitabine combination regimen has an acceptable toxicity profile, and the majority of patients completed 4 cycles of therapy.